Quarterback Grade: Nico Iamaleava is starting to heat up for UCLA

Nico Iamaleava got off to a tough start after hitting the transfer portal this past offseason and finding his way to UCLA. The first four weeks seemed like a downward spiral was taking place and the stats were showing Iamaleava was not having a large impact. The UCLA offense had no space to operate and had trouble keeping their star QB upright and not running for his life on every drop back.

Iamaleava had a touchown pass to interception ratio of 4/3 through the week four mark. Since then, the transfer from Tennessee has five touchdown passes and zero interceptions while adding another three touchdowns on the ground versus Michigan State and Penn State. It goes in large part to show how much space he is now operating with, as seen on this beautiful crossing route pattern to Titus Mokiao-Atimalala to spread the field.

Iamaleava was not to blame for all the offensive struggles that plagued UCLA. The offense simply seemed to be operating in small windows of space and had a lot of congestion. Simple plays to create motion and get guys on the move have opened up a whole new dimension. Below we have all three Jalen Berger touchdowns versus Michigan State that showed how the whole field can be used.

Iamaleava is a threat to take off on a scramble as well, so defenses have to account for him with that. He can just as easily take a jet toss like he is a running back. Jerry Neuheisel has done a phenomenal job in playing to his players strengths. Don't try and change a player, change the system and fill in their athletic abilities which best help the offense flow smoothly. This was the offense just last month, not one guy is open on their route and Iamaleava throws it right at the linebacker who tips it for the interception.

In the first four weeks Iamaleava was playing at best a C grade quarterback. The offense was not in sync and the high-profile transfer looked to be a bust written all over it. But within the last two weeks he has shown his NFL potential with the right tools around him. It has also opened up the opportunity for him to return to UCLA given the factors that have been involved with the complete 360 turn.

The run continues into week 8 as UCLA hosts a Maryland Terrapins team that has shown a great defense under Mike Locksley. They are 13th in the nation at only 16.8 PPG allowed and rank in the top 25 in both yards/rush and yards/pass. This will be another great test for the Bruins to prove they have what it takes to continue navigating their Big Ten schedule.